OCD, Anxiety, and Intrusive Thoughts Explained with Ashley Rush, MS, LPC | Ep. 62

Men’s Health, Silent Diseases, and Why You’re Avoiding the Doctor with Megan Dupré, NP | Ep. 65

Men’s Health, Silent Diseases, and Why You’re Avoiding the Doctor is a conversation most people avoid… until it’s too late.In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with nurse practitioner Megan Dupré to break down why men are less likely to seek preventative care, how serious conditions like diabetes and hypertension develop silently, and what actually happens when you wait until symptoms show up.From missed annual checkups to overwhelming diagnoses, this episode highlights how small, consistent health decisions can completely change long-term outcomes.We also dive into the real reasons men delay care, how mental health and stress show up physically, and why having a primary care provider is more important than most people think.If you’ve ever said “I’ll go to the doctor later” or ignored symptoms because they didn’t feel serious, this episode will hit. ⏱️ Chapters00:00 - Intro: Megan Dupré & men’s health focus01:00 - Why men avoid the doctor03:00 - The problem with waiting until symptoms show up05:00 - Silent diseases: hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol08:00 - Why yearly checkups actually matter10:30 - The overwhelm of late diagnoses13:00 - Why you need a primary care doctor16:00 - Symptoms men ignore (and shouldn’t)18:30 - How serious issues get discovered accidentally21:00 - Diabetes explained: what’s really happening in your body24:00 - Type 1 vs Type 2 diabetes27:00 - Why lifestyle changes matter early30:00 - Carbs, sugar, and what actually matters32:00 - Why people struggle to change habits34:00 - The real reason men finally go to the doctor36:00 - New screening tests and preventative options39:00 - What “living vividly” actually meansIf you’ve been putting off your health, ignoring symptoms, or just “waiting until something feels wrong,” this conversation shows why that approach backfires and what to do instead.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs a reality check about their health.—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

Women’s Hormones Are Being Misunderstood | Stress & Inflammation with Dr. Hart & Dr. Fashho Ep. 64

In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with Dr. Abigail Hart and Dr. Charise Fashho to break down what’s actually happening when women feel “off” even when their labs come back normal.This conversation goes beyond traditional medicine and into what is often overlooked. The role of stress, inflammation, lifestyle, and how treating symptoms alone misses the bigger picture.From hormone imbalances and cortisol dysfunction to cycle-based training, functional testing, and personalized care, this episode challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to women’s health.They also unpack why women’s bodies have historically been misunderstood in research, how modern lifestyles are impacting hormones, and what practical changes actually move the needle.If you’ve ever felt like something isn’t right but couldn’t get answers, this episode will connect the dots.⏱️ Chapters00:00 - Intro: Dr. Hart & Dr. Fashho01:00 - Why women’s health is shifting03:50 - Research based on men05:00 - Root cause vs hormone fixes06:30 - Stress & inflammation drivers10:45 - Limits of traditional care15:50 - Cortisol & burnout17:30 - Why slowing down works18:30 - 15-minute visit problem19:45 - Functional testing explained22:00 - Personalized treatment24:00 - Why this care feels unfamiliar26:00 - “Normal labs” but still off28:30 - Trial and error in healing30:00 - Community & support31:30 - Small changes that matter33:30 - Exercise & cortisol balance35:00 - Cycle-based training37:00 - Supplements that help40:00 - Hydration & electrolytes42:30 - Mind-body connection46:30 - Rethinking postpartum care48:00 - Electrolytes vs water49:00 - A new healthcare model50:30 - Final thoughtsIf you’ve been focusing on diet, workouts, and supplements but still don’t feel like yourself, this conversation shows why and what to do differently.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who’s been struggling to get real answers about their health.—Connect with Charise & Abigail (Eviva md)📲 Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/eviva.md/—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

OCD, Anxiety, and Intrusive Thoughts Explained with Ashley Rush, MS, LPC | Ep. 62

OCD, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts are often misunderstood, and most people don’t realize how they actually show up in everyday life.In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with licensed professional counselor Ashley Rush to break down what OCD really is, how it differs from general anxiety, and why intrusive thoughts feel so real even when you know they aren’t.From compulsions and perfectionism to exposure therapy (ERP) and misdiagnosis, this conversation unpacks the reality of living with OCD and why so many people struggle in silence.We also dive into real-life examples, including body-focused behaviors, health anxiety, and the hidden ways OCD can show up that most people overlook.If you’ve ever felt stuck in your thoughts, questioned why you can’t “just stop,” or wondered if what you’re experiencing is more than anxiety, this episode will hit.⏱️ Chapters00:00 - Intro: Ashley Rush & today’s topic00:45 - What OCD actually is (beyond stereotypes)03:00 - Intrusive thoughts explained07:00 - Why logic doesn’t override OCD09:30 - What is exposure therapy (ERP)?14:00 - OCD vs anxiety: key differences16:00 - Why OCD often goes undiagnosed18:30 - “I’m the only one thinking this”20:00 - Body-focused repetitive behaviors (skin picking, etc.)22:30 - OCD spectrum and real-life examples24:00 - How long does treatment take?26:00 - Perfectionism and high achievement28:00 - Health anxiety and modern habits30:00 - Parenting anxiety and fear patterns33:00 - When anxiety becomes a problem35:00 - Helpful vs harmful anxiety38:00 - Coping strategies and support systems42:00 - Movement, habits, and mental health basics44:30 - Why humor can actually help46:00 - When humor doesn’t work48:00 - Finding the right therapist49:00 - What “living vividly” meansIf you’ve been dealing with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or patterns you don’t fully understand, this conversation breaks down what’s really happening and how to start approaching it differently.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs a better understanding of OCD, anxiety, or mental health.—Connect with Ashley Rush 📲 Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/ashleyrush_lpc/👥 Facebook→ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091666946056👩‍💻 Website → https://www.arushlpc.com/about—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

Jiu Jitsu, Sound Healing, and the Power of Balance with Abby & Jared | Ep. 62

Most people live on one extreme.Always pushing. Always performing. Always distracted.Or completely disconnected, overwhelmed, and stuck.But what if the real goal isn’t choosing one…it’s learning how to balance both?In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with Abby and Jared, a couple who live on opposite ends of the spectrum but have learned how to meet in the middle.Jared is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt rooted in discipline, pressure, and performance. Abby is a sound practitioner focused on stillness, healing, and nervous system regulation.At first glance, their worlds couldn’t be more different.But this conversation breaks down how both paths lead to the same thing:self-awareness, resilience, and learning how to sit with yourself when things get uncomfortable.From martial arts and meditation to relationships, stress, and emotional regulation, this episode explores what it actually looks like to slow down, find balance, and live authentically in a world that constantly pulls you in every direction.If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, or like you can’t turn your mind off, this conversation will shift how you think about balance, discipline, and healing.⏱️ Chapters00:00 - Intro: Discipline vs Stillness00:45 - Meet Abby & Jared02:00 - From jiu jitsu to real life lessons06:00 - Discipline, awareness, and thinking ahead09:00 - Finding your “thing” and self-discovery12:30 - Why most people avoid sitting with themselves14:00 - Sound healing and nervous system regulation18:00 - Abby’s turning point and spiritual journey22:00 - The science behind sound and brainwaves25:00 - Why your mind can’t slow down27:00 - Where discipline and healing overlap31:00 - Health, wellness, and skepticism37:00 - Technology, distraction, and modern life47:00 - Balancing masculine and feminine energy52:00 - Communication in relationships59:00 - People over profit and real connection1:03:00 - Learning how to lose and grow1:05:00 - What it means to live authentically1:08:00 - Imperfection, relatability, and real connectionIf you’ve been stuck in go-go-go mode or struggling to slow down and reconnect with yourself, this episode breaks down why and how to actually find balance.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear this or is feeling the same way.—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

Leadership, Burnout, and Why You Feel Stuck at Work | Ep. 61

Most people think burnout comes from working too much.But what if it actually comes from carrying things that were never yours to begin with?In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with Ashley Mudd, founder of Acadiana Thrives, to break down what leadership really means, why so many people feel stuck and unheard at work, and how burnout builds over time without you even realizing it.From quiet quitting and resentment to difficult conversations and over-functioning, this conversation unpacks the hidden cost of staying silent and why learning to lead yourself first changes everything.If you’ve ever felt overlooked, overworked, or like your voice doesn’t matter, this episode will hit.⏱️ Chapters00:00 - Intro: Ashley Mudd & Acadiana Thrives00:45 - What “leadership for everyone” actually means02:30 - Why people struggle to have real conversations04:30 - Leadership is a practice, not a title06:00 - Personality vs real leadership08:30 - The cost of not being heard at work10:30 - Quiet quitting explained differently12:30 - Should you stay or leave your job?14:00 - Burnout: how it actually starts15:30 - Over-functioning and rising resentment17:30 - Why speaking up feels risky19:00 - Start small: how to address conflict20:30 - “What are you carrying that isn’t yours?”22:00 - The real cost of staying silent24:00 - Leading yourself first26:00 - Practicing hard conversations safely27:30 - Why we avoid confrontation29:00 - Waiting for someone else to lead31:00 - Conflict, values, and communication34:00 - What real community looks like37:00 - Building a thriving Acadiana40:00 - Isolation vs real connection43:00 - Reconnecting with people in real life45:00 - What “living vividly” meansIf you’ve been feeling burned out, stuck in your job, or like you’re constantly doing more than everyone else, this conversation shows why and what you can actually do about it.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear this or is feeling the same way.—Connect with Ashley Mudd (Acadiana Thrives)📲 Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/acadianathrives/👥 LinkedIn→ https://www.linkedin.com/company/acadianathrives/👩‍💻 Website → https://www.acadianathrives.org/—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast